MADRID (7-21-04) - It is very
important to master the technical foundations with both legs. When we are playing in
reduced spaces and with the defender very close, we can not lose time in switching the
ball to the other foot. The success or the failure of an action is determined in a tenth
of a second.
Prepared strategies do us no good if we do not know how to execute them correctly.
When we gain speed of execution in touching the ball, we gain, at the same time, the ability to surprise the rival and increase our chances of success.
Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot is advisable, above all, when we are very close to a rival, because if we don't establish the correct control he will be able to steal the ball or disrupt the attack.
When you break free from a defender, it should open up some free space or support your teammate with the ball. You should make a deceptive movement in order to gain the space that will enable you to perform the technique with the most ease.
We should attempt to carry out all the actions (passing, dribbling and receiving) without looking at the ball, only feeling the contact with our foot, so that our field of vision is wide. In order to accomplish this, our learning should be constant, persevering, progressive and without hurrying.
My next commentary will concern the attack.
Best Regards,
Javier Lozano